Winter Flowering Viburnum

I discovered this fragrant, pretty shrub in 2012 when I took a day out to Hodsock Priory in north Nottingham shire. The scent is heavenly.

Ideally, I would have taken the photo against a light background as I imagined I'd seen it earlier this week. We planted our shrub in a tub next to the front door. But that didn't work for the lighting. And the flowerets are beginning to die back, which is not good for flower photography. The scent is delicious.

Len was back early from tennis this afternoon because the courts were still covered with frost. So instead, we went to Pillings Lock Marina just south of Loughborough. We'd never been before. A staggering number of boats moored there, several of which had wood fires burning as evidenced by the smoke coming out of the chimneys. Extra is of sunset over the marina locked in by ice.

The clubhouse has a café where we went to have a latte. There's a substantial seating area outside and roof radiators plus blankets to take the chill off a winter's afternoon. Dogs not allowed inside.

The staff and other boat owners are very friendly. A very pleasant way to watch the sun go down.